Inclined feeding auger unit



Jan. 22, 1963 H. K. Fox

INCLINED FEEDING AUGER UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheec. 1

Filed April 25, 1960 s. X m E 3 m o a m m 3 Q m m V a a x M A W .m\ bu.4 \M \N m m m 4 m H Mu W Jan. 22, 1963 H. K. FOX 3,

INCLINED FEEDING AUGER UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 25. 1960 FILE.E1 58 2g I3! I30 I l I il HI /3 f /a5 {Q FILE. 4.

" Irwin;

ite tats 3,074,599 INCLINED FEEDING AUGER UNIT Harold K. Fox,Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Bemis Bro. Bag Company, Minneapolis,Minn, a corporation of Missouri Filed Apr. 25, 1960, Ser. No. 24,405 1Claim. (Cl. 222-180) This invention relates to apparatus fortransferring a powdered or granular type product from one point toanother and at the same time, conditioning the product prior todischarge into a suitable container. More particularly, thisinventionrelates to an inclined auger unit for removing the fluid and flushingcharacteristics of a product as the product is being conveyed.

There are many types of feeding machines of the prior art which containan anger type feeding means for feeding a product to a suitablecontainer. The prior art augers are either in a vertical or a horizontalposition. The problem of certain type of products, such as powderedmilk, chemicals, and the like, is that said products tend to flow freelyor flush past the prior art auger systems and thus can not be readilyhandled by certain types of equipment. This invention has been made toovercome problems of the aforementioned type.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and novel conveyorunit that will transfer a product from one point to another as well asconditioning said product for delivery into a suitable container such asa bag, box, barrel, scale bucket, or the like. It is another object ofthis invention to provide new and improved apparatus for compressing theproduct a certain amount to remove the air from the product andinter-nestle the granules or particles of the product to facilitatehandling the thus conditioned product. It is still another object ofthis invention to provide new and improved apparatus for causing aproduct to pack against itself as said product is being transferred fromone point to another. It is still an additional object of this inventionto provide new and improved apparatus that may be used for conveyingmany different types of products, and still condition each type ofproduct with a minimum amount of adjustment of the apparatus.

Other and further objects are those inherent in the invention hereinillustrated, described in the claims, and will be apparent as thedescription proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this inventionthen comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth indetail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these beingindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention may be employed.

The invention is illustrated with reference to the drawings in which thecorresponding numerals refer to the same parts, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front vertical elevationm view of the inclined feedingauger unit of this invention connected to a supply bin;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical front end view of the structure illustrated inFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a generally vertical, fragmentary, transverse view (a partof said view being shown in section) taken along the line and in thedirection of arrows 33 of FIGURE 1 to illustrate the connection of theauger unit to the supply bin, the clean out door being shown in an openposition in phantom;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the control mechanism andcontrol circuitry of the inclined feeding auger unit;

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Patented Jan. 22,1963 FIGURES 1 and 2, there is illustrated the inclined feeding augerunit, generally designated 10, of this invention. The inclined feedingauger unit 10, which is also referred to as a conveyor unit, comprisesan elongated conveyor housing which includes an auger tube 11 which atthe back end is welded to a channel iron 12, said channel iron extendingrearwardly from the auger tube and parallel to the longitudinal axis ofsaid tube. A motor reducer combination 14 is attached to the channeliron to depend therefrom.

The motor reducer combination includes a drive motor 15 having a shaft16 connected to the motor reducer 17 by means of -a coupling 18. On thedrive end of the motor reducer shaft 19 is a drive sprocket 20 fordriving the auger sprocket 21 which is keyed on one end of the augershaft 22, the auger sprocket being drivenly connected to the drivesprocket by a chain drive 24. The back end of the auger shaft isjournalled for rotation in the bearing 26, said bearing being mounted ina bracket 27 that is secured to the back end of the channel iron toextend upwardly therefrom. The forward end of the auger shaft isjournalled for rotation in the bearing 29, the bearing 29 being mountedin a cap plate 30 which closes the back end of the auger tube.

The forward end of the auger shaft which extends through the cap plateinto the auger tube is connected to the screw type auger 35 by capscrews and nuts 36 to drive the auger to move the product in thedirection of arrow 37.

The entire back end of the auger unit is supported by a transverselyextending support bar 40 which is secured to the channel iron andextends outwardly on either transverse side thereof, said support bar inturn being supported on the lower ends of the heavy steel rods 41. Theupper ends of the steel rods are secured to the structural member 42 ofthe building in which the unit is installed. The effective length of thesteel rods are adjusted by means of the adjusting nuts 43 threaded onthe lower end of the rod.

Also mounted on the structural member 42 is a supply bin 46. The lowerend of the supply bin ends in a boot 47 secured to the main portion 44of the bin to be adjustably positionable thereon and forms a tight sealtherewith at the junction of the boot with the main portion. The lowerend of the boot has a plurality of angle irons secured thereto to formrectangular reinforcing flange 48. The boot flange 48 is secured to arectangular inlet flange 49 by means of cap screws (not shown), saidinlet flange being of a size and shape corresponding to the boot flange.The inlet flange is connected to the inwardly flared inlet 50 to openthrough the top opening 51 formed in the auger tube adjacent the rearend of said auger tube (see FIGURE 2).

Located beneath the top opening 51 is a clean-out opening 54, saidclean-out opening being closed by a clean-out door '55 hingedlyconnected at one edge to the side wall of the inlet 50 by a hinge 56.The opposite edge of the door is flanged at 57, said door beingreleasably secured in a closed position by a wing nut and bolt 59extended through the door flange and the tab 60 which is Welded to theopposite inlet Wall.

Slidably mounted on the front end of the auger tube for movement in anaxial direction on said auger tube is an anger tube extension 62 whichforms a part of the conveyor housing. The auger tube extension issecured in an adjusted position on the auger tube by a band clamp 63,there being appropriate means such as nuts and bolts 64 for tighteningand loosening the band clamp. A discharge spout 65 is secured to theforward end of the auger tube extension to depend therefrom.

The discharge end of the auger tube extension is supported by theframework 67 which is mounted on the floor 68 by conventional means (notshown). The structure for securing the tubular extension to theframework includes a band clamp member 69 having outwardly extendingstuds 70 secured thereto. The studs are pivotally retained in apertures72 formed in the upper end of the framework, there being a plurality ofvertically spaced apertures provided in order to permit mounting thedischarge end of the auger tube extension at the desired height.

A platform 75 is secured to the framework to be located directly beneaththe discharge spout for supporting the container 76 in position to befilled by material discharged through the discharge spout. The containermay be any suitable type such as a bag, box, or abarrel. It is to beunderstood that if desired a bag holder may be installed on the spout inplace of providing a platform on the framework.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, the control mechanism and control circuitry80 for controlling the operation of the unit will now be described. Thecontrol circuitry includes main lines L1 and L2 for supplying power. Afirst terminal 84 of the On-Off toggle switch 85 is connected to thejunction 82 on the main line L1 by line 83. The normally open switchcontact 89 of the toggle switch is connected to the second terminal 86,said terminal 86 in turn being connected via line 87 to junction 88.Junetion 88 in turn is connected via line 90 to the first terminal 91 ofthe foot switch 92. The foot switch includes a switch contact 93 that isresiliently urged to an open position by appropriate means (not shown)and connected to terminal 94, terminal 94 in turn being connected vialie 95 to junction 96. The starter coil 99 of the starter 100 isconnected across the junctions 96 and 101, junction 101 being on mainline L2.

The solenoid coil 99 when energized moves an appropriate connectormember 115, which simultaneously moves the four normally open spacedswitch contacts 105, 106, 107, and 108, respectively, to a closedposition. The switch contact 106 in a closed position electricallyconnects terminal 109 to terminal 110, terminal 109 being connected to ahigh voltage line V1, while terminal 110 is connected to a motor lead118. Similarly contact 107 in a closed position connects the terminal111 to terminal 112, terminal 111 being connected to the high voltageline V2, while the terminal 112 is connected to the motor lead 119.Likewise, terminal 108 in a closed position electrically connectsterminal 113 to terminal 114, terminal 113 being connected to the highvoltage line V3 while terminal 114 is connected to the motor lead lineThe control mechanism also includes a timer having a timer clutch 126connected across junctions 96 and 127, junction 127 being located onmain line L2. A timer motor 128 is connected across junctions and 129,junction 129 being on main line L2 and junction 130 being connected tojunction 96 by line 131. A timer switch contact 132 is mounted to openand close the contact between terminals 133 and 134, terminal 133 beingconnected via line 137 to junction 130. A second timer switch contact133 is mounted to open and close the contact between terminals 135, and136, terminal being connected via line 138 to junction 88. The terminal136 is connected via line 142 to terminal 141 while the terminal 134 isconnected via line 139 to terminal 140. The starter switch contact 105is mounted to open and close an electrical circuit between terminals 140and 141, the switch contacts 105, 106, 107, and 108, all beingconconnected to close the aforementioned contacts between the adjacentterminals upon energization of the starter coil 199, and to break theelectrical connections with said respective terminals upon thede-energization of the starter coil. 1

The electric timer is of a type which is energized at terminals 96, 127and terminals 130, 129, and operates electrically to control (open andclosed) switch contacts 132, 133. When the aforementioned terminals aredeenergized, contacts 132, 133 are open. Upon applying power toterminals 96, 127 and 129, 130, the timer immediately starts running.Also, immediately the timer through members 126, 128 clutches in thecontacts 132, 133 which establishes circuits between terminals 133, 134and terminals 135, 136, respectively, which are the control terminals.After closing the toggle switch, to initiate the filling cycle, the footswitch 92 is moved to a closed condition to thereby apply power fromline L1 to junctions 96, 130, to thereby complete an electric circuitfor starting the timer operation. The immediate action of the timer isto close the circuit between terminals 133, 134, and terminals 135, 136.Also, at the same time, the starter coil is energized. Thus, uponcontacts 105, 132, and 133, being moved to a closed condition, a hold-incircuit is established whereupon the timer and starter coil remainenergized even though the foot switch is opened. Also upon energizingthe starter coil, contacts 106, 107, 108 are moved to a closed positionto electrically connect lines V, V2 and V3 to motor 15. The electrictimer continues to operate for a predetermined time interval duringwhich the auger motor is energized. The time interval of the electrictimer is made adjustable by the provision of an external control knob(not shown). At the end of the selected time interval, the electrictimer motor operates through mechanism (not shown) to open the circuitbetween terminals 133, 134, and terminals 135, and 136 by movingcontacts 132, 133 to an open position. This opens the hold in circuitand de-energizes the starter coil to thereby de-energize the augermotor. Also as soon as the timer motor of the timer is de-energized,appropriate means (not shown) sets the timer preparatory to anothercycle.

The structure of this invention having been described, the use thereofwill now be briefly set forth. First, the angle of inclination of theauger and auger tube is adjusted for the product to be conveyed, itbeing understood that for various different products, a difierent angleof inclination is necessary. The angle of inclination is adjusted byextending the studs 70 through the appropriate apertures 72 andadjusting the position of the adjusting nuts 43 on the steel rods 41 tothereby vary the elevation of the support bar, either the support barbeing hingedly secured to the channel iron or the support bar beingprovided with elongated slots through which the rods 41 extend and theframework 67 being movable to permit the aforementioned adjustments.Also, if the boot 47 is not of an adjustable variety, then it may bereplaced with a boot of an appropriate shape and size.

In addition to adjusting the inclination of angle of the auger and augertube, the tube extension 62 is adjusted axially relative to the augertube by loosening the band clamp 63 and moving the tube extension in anaxial direction (in the direction of either arrow 37 or arrow 38) asufiicient amount to obtain the desired conditioning of the product, itbeing noted that the auger and auger tube extend only to line P (theforward end of the auger tube). By making the aforementioned adjustmentof the tube extension, the distance A from the forward end of the augertube to the back side of the discharge spout may be varied. That is, thedistance between the auger tube outlet and the discharge outlet may bevaried.

By providing the aforementioned auger, auger tube, and the auger tubeextension, the product is moved to line P by the auger and is forced tomove through the opposite tube extension to the discharge spout 65 byadditional product being moved by the auger to line P. This actionresults in a moderate compression of the material since the productpacks against itself as the product moves to the discharge spout. As aresult, the granules or particles of the product internest and air isremoved from the product. The aforementioned action results in bettercontrol of the flow characteristic and makes it easier to handle. Alsothe product is settled automatically so that a separate shaking andsettling unit is not required.

By making the aforementioned adjustment of the auger tube extension, thedifferent lengths of time and distance required for packing andconditioning various products may be obtained. Further, adjusting thespeed of the auger by using different size auger sprockets and drivesprockets, the degree of packing and conditioning is partiallycontrolled.

After the above adjustments have been made, the toggle switch 85 ismoved to a closed position and then after an appropriate type container76 has been placed under the discharge spout 65, the foot switch 92 isdepressed. Upon depressing the foot switch, the timer 125 is actuated tocomplete the hold in circuit and energize the starter coil whereupon themotor 15 and timer motor 128 and energized. Energizing the motor 15 willstart the auger to move the product in the direction of the arrow 37from the back end of the auger tube upwardly into the tube extension,the product flowing -from the supply bin through the boot and opening 51into the back end of the auger tube as the auger is rotated.

After the timer, starter and drive motor circuits have been energized,the foot switch is permitted to return to an open condition and the holdin circuit will keep the drive motor energized until the timer has runfor the predetermined interval. At the end of the timer interval, thetimer operates to move switch contacts 132, 133, to break electricalconnections between terminals 133, 134, and terminals 135, 136,respectively, and thereby open the hold in circuit and the circuit forenergizing the starter coil. As a result the motor 15 isde-energized.The length of time that the timer is set to run depends upon the sizecharge to be discharged into the container 76. by setting the timer torun a, definite length of time and as a result of the packing andconditioning the product that takes place While the product movesthrough the auger tube and auger tube extension, only small variationsof weight of the charge are obtained.

An additional advantage of providing a unit of the above nature is thatit is a closed system. Thus there are no openings which would producedust and undesirable fumes from filling the atmosphere, particularly ifa bag holder and bag were provided for receiving the charge from thedischarge spout. As a result, the plant in which the unit is installedwill remain cleaner.

It is to be understood that even though one embodiment of the controlcircuit has been set forth, other type control circuits could be used.For example, revolution counter means could be used in place of thetimer, said revolution counter means acting to stop the drive motorafter a definite number of revolutions of the auger. Further, a brakemotor could be used to provide more accurate control in the stopping ofthe drive motor. Additionally, a variable speed motor could be used inplace of motor 15.

In place of the aforementioned controls for assuring that apredetermined charge is emptied into the container 76, the product canbe discharged from the discharge spout into a scale bucket mounted on ascale beam. In such a case, a switch would be provided to be actuated bythe scale beam to control the de-energization of the motor 15. From theforegoing it is apparent that many different types of controls may beused with the unit of this invention.

Additionally, even though the auger tube extension as illustrated iscircular, it is to be understood that it is within the purview of thisinvention that said extension could be a transition from a circularshape to a square or rectangular shape. Also the product can be packedtightly enough with the inclined feeding auger unit so that said productwill hold its shape for a limited period of time. In such a case atubular extension, which has no discharge spout and has the front endcap 58 removed, would be used for actually extruding the productdirectly into a container or bag upon placing said container or bag overthe end of the auger tube extension.

As many widely apparently different embodiments of this invention may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isunderstood that I do not limit myself to specific embodiments herein.

What I claim is:

Apparatus for controlling the degree of density and amount of aerationin powdered and granular products as the product is conveyed from asource of supply to a container comprising an axially elongated augertube housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening axiallyspaced from said inlet opening, an auger tube extension slidably mountedon the outlet end of the auger tube housing for selectively varying theeffective axial length 'of said auger tube housing, means for retainingsaid auger tube extension in an axially adjusted position on said augertube housing, said auger tube housing having a discharge outlet on theend opposite said auger tube housing inlet opening, means connected tothe auger tube housing for directing product from the source of supplyto said inlet opening and in conjunction with the auger tube housing andanger tube extension providing a closed system from the source of supplyto said discharge outlet, means connected to the auger tube housing andextension for supporting said housing and extension at any one ofvarious select adjusted inclined positions, an anger positioned in saidhousing and having one end portion extending only closely adjacent theoutlet opening of the housing for positively conveying product from theinlet opening in a forward direction to said outlet opening, the productaxially intermediate the outlet opening and the discharge outlet beingforced to the discharge outlet by the product positively conveyed by theauger to said outlet, said auger having an anger screw and an angershaft extending rearwardly of the auger housing, said support meansincluding means for rotatably mounting the portion of the auger shaftextending rearwardly of the inlet opening, said auger support means andthe auger housing comprising the sole structure for rotatably mountingthe auger and means connected to the auger shaft to drive said auger.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS759,884 Hart May 17, 1904 2,022,166 Welty Nov. 26, 1935 2,355,711Dolyniuk Aug. 15, 1944 2,571,637 Weist Oct. 16, 1951 2,613,799 Bawden etal Oct. 14, 1952 2,661,105 Purdy Dec. 1, 1953 2,710,125 Brown June 7,1955

